Original British P-1853 Enfield 3-Band Rifle Converted to Engraved Snider Mk.II** Pistol Dated 1861 - USGI Afghanistan Bring Back

Original Item: Only One Available. Here we have something that we have only ever seen a few of! This is a very interesting 1862-Dated Snider Enfield PISTOL, originally a Snider-Enfield rifle, but then reduced in size locally in Afghanistan. It was almost certainly purchased by a USGI and sent home, as with other very similar examples we have seen. These old rifles had remained there since the colonial wars of the Victorian era, and in many cases were still well cared for. In some cases they were actually still in use! Many similar old British guns were sent back home during the 2000s by both service members as well as civilians involved in the conflict.

This pistol is in lovely condition, and has had the barrel completely covered in engraved floral designs. This must have taken a very large amount of time to execute, and shows a high level of skill. There is additional engraving on the tang and side of the Snider breech mechanism. These were all unique, and this example definitely features a longer barrel and stock than we usually see.

The gun started life in 1862 as a .577 caliber three band ENFIELD Percussion Rifle model of P-1853. The lock is plate stamped "CROWN" over V.R. and 1861 / ENFIELD, indicating manufacture at the Royal Small Arms factory at Enfield Lock. This was a military issue, as indicated by the Royal Cypher monogram, though it does look like the date was redone after the lock was cleaned and engraved. It also has the correct CROWN / BROAD ARROW "lock viewer's" mark and additional proofs as well on the lock plate. The breech block and shoe bear British markings and proof marks, including the WD / BROAD ARROW War Department marking, and the whole pistol is in lovely condition.

There is the correct II / * / * stamped on top of the breech ring, indicating it is the MkII* version of the breech. This was the last version before the "latch" was introduced, though this design did have a small "button" at the bottom of the breech plug that gripped the breech block. The button is still at the bottom of the breech, but it is frozen and/or worn down, so it no longer grips.

The metalwork overall has a lovely polished patina, showing some past oxidation in areas. The top of the barrel and even the receiver tang and side have been covered with the previously mentioned engraving, which really looks great now that it is fully polished. The lock is functional, however it will fire at both half and full cock due to wear on the tumbler. The breech opens correctly, with an intact firing pin, and can be pulled back to eject spent cartridge casings, though it can stick and may require a rubber mallet to move it back. The barrel shows three groove rifling, and is in good condition, showing a somewhat bright finish with clear land and grooves, with some fouling and oxidation in the grooves. The rear of the barrel has a three leaf flip-up sight. The stock on this pistol looks to have been locally made, though it is possible that it was adapted from one of the percussion horse pistols in use at the time. It features a brass carbine bar on the left side, but there are no rings, and the stock does not look like it could have been converted from a carbine.

A very interesting Snider Pistol, made from a converted Snider-Enfield, something we have not really seen before. This probably originally saw service during the Anglo-Afghan wars, and then stayed behind to be found by a USGI during the 21st century. In splendid condition, ready to research and display!

Specifications:

Year of Manufacture: 1861 - Converted and Shortened Later
Caliber: .58 inches
Ammunition Type: .577 Centerfire Cartridge
Barrel Length: 18 3/4 inches
Overall Length: 28 inches
Action: Side Action Lock
Feed System: Side Hinge Rotating Breech block

More on the P-1853 Rifle-Musket: The Enfield Pattern 1853 rifle-musket (also known as the Pattern 1853 Enfield, P53 Enfield, and Enfield rifle-musket) was a .577 calibre Minié-type muzzle-loading rifle-musket, used by the British Empire from 1853 to 1867, after which many Enfield 1853 rifle-muskets were converted to (and replaced in service by) the cartridge-loaded Snider-Enfield rifle.

The term "rifle-musket" originally referred to muskets with the smooth-bored barrels replaced with rifled barrels. The length of the barrels were unchanged, allowing the weapons to be fired by rank, since a long rifle was necessary to enable the muzzles of the second rank of soldiers to project beyond the faces of the men in front. The weapon would also be sufficiently long when fitted with a bayonet to be effective against cavalry. Such guns manufactured with rifled barrels, muzzle loading, single shot, and utilizing the same firing mechanism, also came to be called rifle-muskets.

The 39 in (99 cm) barrel had three grooves, with a 1:78 rifling twist, and was fastened to the stock with three metal bands, so that the rifle was often called a "three band" model.

History of the Snider rifle- Jacob Snider, an American from New York, developed this breech loading system for the P-1853 Enfield, the most prolific imported Percussion rifle in use by both the North and South during the U.S. Civil War. When the British Board of Ordnance appointed a Select Committee in 1864 the Snider system was swiftly adopted with the first breech loaders being issued in 1865 to British forces.

Improved in 1867 by the use of Colonel Boxer's center fire brass bodied cartridge, the rifle was used very effectively in the Abyssinian Campaign of 1868. The system utilized a hinged breech block with an internal firing pin assembly that permitted the use of a self contained cartridge of lead bullet in cardboard, and, after 1867, brass casing. This highly efficient conversion system prolonged the active life of the P-1853 rifles up until 1871 when the Martini System was adopted. Snider rifles saw continued use throughout the Empire but were officially obsoleted by the late 1880s.

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